Craftsman 18-Inch 42cc Chainsaw Review: What It Cuts Well and Where It Struggles

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The Craftsman 18-inch 42cc chainsaw (sold as the S180) is a budget gas saw that handles storm cleanup, limbing and occasional firewood cutting well, but its modest engine on a fairly long bar means it cuts hardwood slowly and is not built for daily heavy use. For a homeowner who runs a saw a few weekends a year, it delivers a lot of capability for the price; for someone cutting several cords a winter, a stronger pro-grade saw is the better long-term buy.

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Key specs in context

The S180 is a two-stroke saw in the low-40cc displacement class, fitted with an 18-inch bar and chain, an automatic bar oiler, a chain brake and a tool-assisted side-mounted chain tensioner. Craftsman also sells a 16-inch version with the same basic engine (the S165), which is worth knowing about because the shorter bar suits this engine better.

A useful rule of thumb: about 40cc is comfortable on a 16-inch bar, and 18 inches is the practical upper limit. The extra 2 inches on the S180 give reach for wider logs, but the engine works harder pulling more chain through the cut.

What it does well

• Storm and yard cleanup. Fallen limbs, small trees under about 12 inches, and brush piles are its sweet spot.
• Reach. The 18-inch bar handles logs up to about 16 inches in a single pass and lets you cut larger rounds from both sides.
• Value. A complete gas saw with case or bar cover, at a price close to many cordless saws without a battery.
• No battery limits. Refuel in a minute and keep going, which matters at remote woodlots.

Where it falls short

• Speed in hardwood. In seasoned oak, hickory or maple over 12 inches, expect noticeably slower cuts than a 50cc pro saw. Keep the chain sharp and let the saw work; forcing it bogs the engine.
• Vibration. Anti-vibration systems on budget saws are simpler than on pro models, so long sessions are more tiring.
• Starting. Budget two-stroke saws are more sensitive to stale fuel and carburetor gumming. Fresh fuel and correct choke technique matter more here than on expensive saws.
• Durability under heavy use. Plastic-heavy construction is fine for occasional use; heavy weekly firewood work is where budget saws wear out first.

Who should buy it

Fuel and starting, done right

1. Mix fuel correctly. Use fresh gas of at least 89 octane and quality two-stroke oil at the ratio printed on the saw and in the manual. Mix in a clean can and use it within about 30 days, or add a stabilizer.
2. Avoid high-ethanol fuel. E15 and above can damage small-engine fuel systems; ethanol-free or pre-mixed canned fuel is the safest choice for occasional users.
3. Cold start sequence. Engage the chain brake, prime the bulb until fuel is visible, set full choke, pull until the engine pops, then move to half choke or run position and pull again.
4. Storage. If the saw will sit for more than a month, empty the tank and run the engine until it stops.

Chain, bar and oil: what wears first

• Chain. Sharpen when the saw throws fine dust instead of chips, typically every one to two tanks of fuel in clean wood and much sooner if you touch dirt. An 18-inch chain usually has about 62 drive links in the common 3/8-inch low-profile pitch, but confirm the exact count stamped on the bar before buying a replacement.
• Bar. Flip the bar each time you replace or sharpen the chain to even out rail wear, and clean the oil hole and groove.
• Bar oil. Fill the oil tank every time you refuel. A dry bar destroys a chain and bar quickly.
• Air filter and spark plug. Clean the filter after each heavy session; replace the plug each season.

Cost of ownership: a quick calculation

Suppose you cut about 2 cords of firewood a year. Spread a $220 saw over 6 years, add roughly $40 a year for fuel, oil and bar oil, and one $20-$30 replacement chain per year, and you land at about $95-$100 per year, or roughly $50 per cord in saw costs. A $550 pro saw over 12 years with the same running costs works out to about $105-$110 a year. At low volume the budget saw wins; at high volume the pro saw’s speed and lifespan pay back.

Safety essentials

• Wear chainsaw chaps, eye and hearing protection, gloves and boots, plus a helmet when cutting overhead.
• Keep the bar’s upper tip (the kickback zone) away from logs and branches.
• Cut below shoulder height, keep both hands on the saw, and stand to one side of the cutting line.
• Leave felling trees over about the bar length, or near buildings and lines, to a professional.

Verdict

The Craftsman 18-inch 42cc chainsaw is a capable, inexpensive gas saw for occasional homeowner work, and its longer bar gives useful reach. Keep it fueled with fresh mix, keep the chain sharp, and do not ask it to do a 50cc saw’s job. If most of your cutting is small limbs, the 16-inch version is easier to handle; if you cut firewood in volume, spend more on a heavier-duty saw.